A Shape In The Cloud

Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them.  “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them.  “We are all afraid of you.  Everyone in the land is living in terror.  For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt.  And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.  No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things.  For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. [Joshua 2.8-11]

How does the world view God's people today?

What does the world today see, hear, and know about God based on His followers' lives and circumstances?

Today I remain focused on the topic addressed yesterday in this blog.  I once again find myself faced with the reality of how the world perceives God based on the lives and circumstances of my fellow believers and me.

I challenge God followers everywhere to take inventory of their reputation individually and corporately.  However, that inventory must not be assessed through 'rose-colored glasses' with any predisposition either way.  It is not enough to evaluate God's reputation through God-follower media!  In other words, don't go to a specifically Christian website or read a Christian book to learn about what non-Christians think about God and His followers.

In the Biblical account of Rahab noted above, we find the general attitude of the people of Jericho (at least from Rahab's perspective) was one of fear of Israel and Israel's God.  Rahab's reasoning was based on common knowledge though - not religious indoctrination (Rahab was a prostitute and not likely to be the 'religious type').  The people of Jericho were well aware of spectacular events by and for the people of Israel.  The general consensus was that Israel's God was supreme and unstoppable.  

People then and now understand power and dominion.  The people of Jericho were not simply experiencing Pareidolia - they were not imagining shapes in the clouds - they had heard of Israel's God with enough convincing evidence that they were afraid and furthermore knew they were in trouble.

So, my question stands: What does the world today see, hear, and know about God based on His followers' lives and circumstances?  

Father, help me to be understanding of the skepticism of the world to believe in You when my life and circumstances speak very little of Your tangible power and dominion.  How can I present a convincing 'argument for God' by asking non-believers to imagine along with me 'a shape in the cloud'?